Quest/General Catchall Jan-Mar

[phoenixblessed]

WHO: Diluc Ragnvindr, E'kayan Tia, Guizhong, Alhaitham, Edmond, Neuvillette, Baizhu, Thanatos, and maybe YOU!
WHAT: Jan-Mar questboard and any other threads.
WHEN: January - March
WHERE: Noted in TLs
WARNINGS: Will be noted where needed

🔥 Diluc Ragnvindr	🐈 E'kayan Tia	💮 Guizhong	🌱 Alhaitham
💎 Edmond	🌊 Neuvillette	🐍 Baizhu	💀 Thanatos

Comments

🐈 E'kayan Tia

[orangebrained]

Ice and Slime, Both Are Slippery

[orangebrained]

[He watches them from a distance at first, noting their similarity to the various kinds of large toads that can be found across Eorzea and beyond. Even the way they will stick out their tongues and drag anything close enough into their mouths is familiar. They aren’t a difficult creature to best, particularly at range, and the young Miqo’te pulls his grimoire into his hand as the, red, glowing carbuncle at his side looks up at him with glittering black eyes.]

Ready?

[He might be talking to the summon, or to whoever might have come along with him on this little adventure as he peers around from behind the rock he’s currently camped out at.

Is someone with him, ready to go..? Or is there someone on their way towards one of the slime toads, unaware of the danger ahead?]

five years later

[rustyhonesty]

[This isn't Jean's first time facing slime toads. Last time went horribly, which is why he opted to choose a different partner this time. At least E'kayan likely wouldn't get himself eaten like a certain mayonnaisen idiot.]

As ready as one can be to face giant toads.

[He has his gear and plenty of fire magic, at least.]

Last time I fought them, fire worked really well.

[orangebrained]

[E'kayan will not get himself eaten... and is probably very capable of getting himself out of it if he does.]

Fire, I can do.

[And the next moment the carbuncle jumps into the air and vanishes, there's a stave in his hand, and a swell of magic in the space around him.]

But I'm gonna need some time to stand still. You can keep its attention, right?

You're Fired [BOSS]

[orangebrained]

… Why does this feel like something even Hythlodaeus wouldn’t have let slip past his desk.

[A small, slightly wry almost-jibe at a particular one-time administrator of creations passes E’kayan’s lips as he sees the lava shark appear. A shark made entirely of molten rock would surely have not made it past evaluation, though he would not have put it past one of the ancients to try to come up with it just to make things interesting.]

That is a big one, isn’t it.

[But when it comes to fire, E’kayan has just the thing. A bubble of water appears between his hands and moves forwards, growing in size as it does.]

Get ready, this is probably going to really annoy it.

[He sounds a little too eager about the idea, but he will wait until everyone is ready before he… sends the ball of water flying towards the molten shark. It hits, splashing over the creature and abruptly solidifying several sections of its fiery shell.

And, naturally, immediately draws its entire attention with an almost tangible aggro.sfx.]

You're lucky she doesn't do the You Spank It, You Tank It rule.

[inlikethebrume]

[It had been a bit that Mira could work on her fighting skills on something a little bigger. So joining up with E'kayan was not a big deal; adventurers do it all the time and groups are safer. Hopefully. Do they need another Edda incident? But things are going alright and no issues--until she hears those words.]

Hold on, I don't think-!

[Too late, the water attack hits the shark and Mira is aware of the look in its eyes. It's pissed and between the squishy caster and her with dark knight abilities, Mira can only suck in her breath through her teeth.]

You are rather lucky that you're not alone.

[And with that said, Mira jumps into the fray (heh) and shoots some dark energy at the creature. She runs towards it, trying have it focus on her location rather than E'kayan's.]

Oi, over here you-!

[Mira then proceeds to say something very foul that can make the toughest sailor blush as a means to Provoke it. Hey, at least the shark can focus on her.]

bunny shield, go! ><

[orangebrained]

[It isn't as if it would be the first time he'd been up against something large and very pissed off without a far more sturdy person between him and it, but when given the choice having someone else pull the aggression off of himself is always preferable. He grimaces a little when he hears Mira's scolding but shrugs it off easily enough, darting off to the side so that he doesn't get in the way of her drawing its attention.

He can do more damage when he's not having to shield himself, in any case.

A couple more casts have the skin of the creature almost entirely solid, though it's still moving (albeit slowly) and getting more pissed off by the moment. In hindsight, E'kayan should have probably thought this through a little better, but barrelling through encounters like this on a proverbial wing and a prayer just tends to be how he does things.

Sorry, Mira.]

This should be easy!

[Famous last words. Probably.]

[inlikethebrume]

Best not to assume lest you get knocked on your arse into the nearest wall!

[She's only saying it loudly because dealing with a big monster means lots of noise. But also, karma can be a bitch and she's not testing it right now thanks. But that's not what she needs to focus on but rather ensuring the creature has its focus on her. Mira then slams a hand to the ground, engulfing it in a red and black dome as she calls forth spikes of darkness to pierce the creature. Yes that's right, get pissed at her big boy. Mira's got some more tricks up her sleeve but she's not going to use them...not yet anyway.]

[orangebrained]

It wouldn't be the first time!

[By no means a way to brush off the concern, but it really wouldn't be the first time E'kayan had been knocked on his ass and by beasties far more dangerous and sapient than this one.

But he remembers Fray. He remembers coming across the strange knight in the Brume and hearing what he had to say, but never approaching him again. He thinks he's going to have to ask Mira a bit more about that when they're done here.]

Get its back to me if you can, I'm going to try something.

[... Dangerous words, sometimes.]

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[One day, Emet-Selch might have cause to wonder why he seems to end up tanking for a surprising number of his friends. Right now, however, there is the unmistakable feeling of the monster turning its attention toward said friend. What he actually does to draw its attention to him (and his greatsword) instead is a little less than clear, given that it doesn't seem to be much more than a gesture but it does work all the same, as the creature turns its attention to him instead of E'kayan.]

Even if it had passed review I cannot imagine what purpose it might serve.

[Not least of all for the fact that sharks are typically meant to be at least somewhat capable of living underwater. Something that can certainly not be said of this one.]

[orangebrained]

Oh, you mean like that giant land shark that almost ate us when we were looking for Venat did have a purpose?

[He is sure that Hythlodaeus approved some of the things he did just to be funny. There was absolutely no need for so many shark-based creatures anywhere at all, and maybe a little disappointment would have been good for the ancients who kept submitting the ideas.

With the attention of the creature moved off him he skirts to the side, the ruby carbuncle following him letting out a soft squeak as its form shifts into the glowing shape of solar Bahamut.]

I've got it, just keep it off me!

[unnecessaryflourishes]

I am sure someone thought as much.

[Who that someone was he cannot say, even if he cannot deny that Hythlodaeus had approved it at least for testing, if not release into the wider world.

Still, it does neither of them any good to dwell on why someone had chosen that particular assortment of limbs. And though Emet-Selch's gaze does briefly flick over to solar Bahamut, the bulk of his focus is on fact on the creature before them.]

As if I were not already.

[Still, he does in fact continue holding its attention. He might not admit to being able to tank most of them time, but he does well enough at it.]

[orangebrained]

I know, I know.

[As if he were not, already. If Emet-Selch excels at nothing else it is saying exactly what he means, and E'kayan learned some time ago that the man may play the part of a scheming villain well, but when he says something, it is often better to take his words at face value rather than overthinking them.

And while things are not so dire here, the same applies.

Solar Bahamut is still something of a mystery even to E'kayan himself, but that doesn't mean he can't direct it as easily as he handles any other egi. The creature spits several energy bursts towards their foe before disappearing, and powerful blasts of light spike downwards following quick gestures of the Miqo'te's hand.

He draws memorised sigils into the air in front of him, pulling an emerald-green phantom of Garuda that shrieks as it blasts a pillar of air against the creature. Combined with an addition of more Winter magic, the resulting watery spout soaks the shark.

And... well, possibly Emet-Selch, also, but it can't be helped.]

In the Deep

[orangebrained]

[As someone who can breathe underwater without any need for outside assistance at all thanks to a certain enchantment he brought with him from home, E’kayan doesn’t hesitate to take on a quest that involves swimming when the need arises. He makes his way down to the Siren Kingdom without too much trepidation and finds the description of moray to be… well, strangely familiar.

He is slightly relieved to learn that it does not have electrical abilities.

Still, the creature is large, and with water taken into account E’kayan needs to be careful about what types of magic he uses. He wouldn’t want to electrocute or freeze anyone else trying to take on these creatures, would he?

It’s why he hangs back at first. Thinking, rather than afraid of what lies ahead. What he wouldn’t do to be better with a bow or a gunblade at a time like this. He floats in the water on the edge of the territory where the morays are said to be, and one of his ears twitches as he hears the sound of shouting and battle in the near distance.]

Ah-- quickly-

[Someone who is with him would find themselves being ushered along by a small catboy carrying a rapier and a magical focus. Someone already fighting one of the undead creatures would be swiftly joined in battle by someone rapidly flinging magic from the sidelines, being careful to avoid anything that might cause harm to an ally.]

[ktizo]

[Hythlodaeus swims into view, looking markedly different than usual. As soon as he realises it's E'kayan he's looking at, he grins, teeth jagged and sharp. Then he seems confused, because he's not sure how the other man is actually breathing under here... and then finally, he realises he's going to get shit for this, and purses his lips.]

Not a word, my friend.

[He's going to laugh anyway, isn't he? In any case, he doesn't have long to casually chat, because his merrow form has attracted a hungry Moray. His bow appears in his hands and he frowns.]

'Twould seem my current form is not as useful down here as I was hoping. I've simply made myself a target...

[Though perhaps that could be used to their advantage?]

[orangebrained]

[It does take him a few moments, between the murk and darkness and Hythlodaeus' different appearance, to realise just who it is that he's looking at...

Then he speaks, and E'kayan's eyes widen immediately, and the other man would no doubt notice the way his jaw tenses and how he presses his lips together as if to keep something from coming out.]

... You're a shark.

[Task unsuccessful. The verbal acknowledgement pushes a grin across his face. Yes, sorry, Hythlodaeus... he is going to laugh at you.

Later, though. No time for it now, since the man seems to have made himself a very tantalising piece of bait. So much for having time to make a plan.]

I'm limited on magic down here unless you're resistant to electricity. [The Miqo'te says quickly, drawing his rapier.] How fast can you move like that?

[ktizo]

That I am.

[Yes yes, laugh it up.]

I can't say that I'd enjoy being fried, no, but perhaps it would be better than having my life force stolen by a giant sea creature. Who knows!

[In any case, he demonstrates his ability to swim quickly by swimming a lap around E'kayan. He's extremely fast.]

If this isn't fast enough for you, I can still teleport. It may be an effective way to manage the creature's attention, come to think of it.

[Teleporting behind it and taking pot shots, as well as being apparently delicious, should hold its attention...]

[orangebrained]

I promise I'll fry you as an absolute last resort. I can even heal you after.

[It's hard to tell how much of that is E'kayan joking, and how much is him legitimately warning Hythlodaeus of something that might actually happen. He watches the man swim swiftly around him and nods, turning his attention towards the approaching moray.]

All right-- uh, if you can try not to move it around too much. I need to concentrate for this.

[At least for the first shot. The second one always comes off easier.]

Not asking much, I know.

Wildcard

[orangebrained]

🐈 Tag with another quest!
🐈 Find him at the winter guild hall (mostly practicing healing magic and alchemy, please don’t look at his notes they are terrifying)
🐈 Trip over him in far flung places, including places under water where he does not seem to have any kind of breathing aid
🐈 See him wandering around in the Botanical Gardens
🐈 Come across him out riding his black chocobo (or taking a break while it does squats. Don't ask.)

Wildcard - Botanical Gardens

[answerseeker]

[ It's his peaceful place. In a rare instance where he isn't with Meteion as of recent, he takes a stroll through the gardens, Caduceus slithering behind him.

He found flowers comforting - Yes, they helped the environment but on the same token, they just were. No expectations thrust upon them, just the mandate to live. Just as he's wondering if he can perhaps take a few of a particularly pretty flower to Meteion without being noticed, he spies a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye. ]

Ah, hello there, E'kayan. It appears we were of the same mind to come to the gardens. [ See? He can be pleasant and social!

Also since Meteion's arrival, the Miqo'te might notice a slight pep in the Ancient's proverbial step. ]

[orangebrained]

[He spends time here mostly because it has some fond memories for him these days, with how often he ends up here with Erenville. If he can't find the other man it's usually the first place he looks.

Today, though, he's quite happy to come across somebody that he so rarely sees out and about.]

Hermes! How good to see you. [E'kayan greets the man with a pleased swish of his tail and a wiggle of his ears.] You look--

[A beat.]

Happy.

[answerseeker]

[ It's a nice change of pace to see someone eager to see him as the man notes the miqo'te's reaction to him. Wow, this concept of having friends is really great.

Happy? Hm. He acknowledges he can be a melancholy man but has Meteion's arrival really changed how he looks that much? ]

I do? [ There's a pause and a small but embarrassed smile. ] I suppose I have tended to carry myself in a certain way over time I've been here, haven't I? [ Like a sad open book for sure. ]

Chocobo....

[vulnstacks]

[Wuk Lamat runs into E'kayan while he's out with his black chocobo. Coincidentally, she also has her new alpaca friend with her. She's trying to get used to owning an actual alpaca.

At least it had yet to spit on her.]

A black chocobo... I only had time to see yellow ones in Sharlayan!

[orangebrained]

Lamaty'i!

[He grins when he sees her and the chocobo he's riding lets out a decidedly pointed kweh of acknowledgement.]

The black ones come from Ishgard. They train them to fight in the army.

[vulnstacks]

[The alpaca next to Wuk Lamat makes a noise in return. A "Mrrrn".]

Oh! That sounds amazing. And this one does look really strong. At least I can imagine chocobo in war...

[Alpacas? Not... not really. Unless they but really good armor on them. Then again, their spit attacks might be quite effective.]